Raymond Earl Malone, 80, died at home in Beavercreek, Ohio, on Nov. 17, 2021 after battling leukemia. Born Jan. 19, 1941, in McNairy County, Tenn., to his late parents, Robert Mack Malone and Annie Lorene Staton.

In July 1960, Raymond joined the Air Force. It was when stationed at Schilling AFB, Salina, Kan., that he met his wife, Johnita Reed. He traveled and lived around the world with his family, ending his 20 year Air Force career at Tinker AFB, Okla., in September 1980. He was a proud veteran having served a year in Vietnam. In the military, he made friends and memories that lasted a lifetime.

After the Air Force, Ray sold Buicks in Oklahoma City until the mid-1980s oil bust. After which he followed Johnita to a job at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he continued selling Buicks until Johnita died in 2001. It was through car sales that he later met and married Bonnie.

Ray was father-in-law to David, Ed and Brian, survived by wife, Bonnie Malone, sister Brenda Malone, daughters Yvonne Ledford, Ramona Norman, and Roxanne Albright and eight grandchildren.

A graveside funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Balch Cemetery, rural Formoso, Kan., with Reverend Sang Hak Lee officiating.

There is no visitation at the funeral home. Family and friends will gather at the cemetery just prior to the services.

Interment will follow the services.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.bachelor-surber.com.

Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, is in charge of the arrangements.